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A row of firefighter gear lockers in a fire station, featuring a tan turnout coat with reflective stripes and the number "128" on the sleeve. A red helmet with a white emblem sits beside it, and a red label above the locker reads "FIREFIGHTER 128." Additional gear is visible in the background, emphasizing readiness and organization.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant

Funding Firefighter Safety

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant

The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant enhances fire departments’ capabilities by lessening their economic burden.

Close up image of firefighters wearing personal protective equipment

The grant allocations prioritize localities that meet the following.
  • Score above average or high on the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) fiscal stress index, and are classified as double-distressed according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) Commonwealth Opportunity Funds Distressed Localities Assessment according to the latest published edition during the grant application period.
  • Demonstrate a clear need for protective non-vehicular equipment. Each locality receiving funding must report to the Department on how the allocated funds are intended to be used.

Fire Departments and Fire Companies within the fiscally distressed localities will receive priority scoring during the vetting process, however all departments that meet the funding priorities outlined are encouraged to apply.

Individual PPE Grant award amounts shall be decided by the Virginia Fire Services Board based upon need. The maximum allowable amount of any PPE Grant shall be $100,000 per applicant.

How to Apply

Eligible localities can apply for the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant by downloading and completing the form below. 

Review Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant Policy

Download Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant Application

*An Assessment Form is also required as part of the application submission. Please be sure to complete and submit with your application. 

Download Assessment Form

Grant applications should be sent directly to: 

Grants Unit 
Virginia Department of Fire Programs Administration 
1005 Technology Park Drive Glen Allen, VA  23059-4500 

FAQs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant

  • Open to all Virginia localities.

    The grant prioritizes localities (Cities and Counties) below that have scored above average or high on the Virginia Department of Housing and Community development (DHCD) fiscal stress index and are classified as double-distressed according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP). 

    Localities on both DHCD and VEDP indexes:

    1. Alleghany 27. Mecklenburg
    2. Amherst 28. Newport News
    3. Bland 29. Norfolk
    4. Bristol 30. Norton
    5. Brunswick 31. Nottoway
    6. Buchanan 32. Page
    7. Carroll 33. Patrick
    8. Charlotte 34. Petersburg
    9. Covington 35. Pittsylvania
    10. Cumberland 36. Portsmouth
    11. Danville 37. Prince Edward
    12. Dickenson 38. Prince George
    13. Emporia 39. Radford
    14. Franklin (City) 40. Richmond (City) 
    15. Galax 41. Roanoke (City)
    16. Greensville 42. Russell
    17. Halifax 43. Scott
    18. Hampton 44. Smyth
    19. Harrisonburg 45. Suffolk
    20. Henry 46. Sussex
    21. Hopewell 47. Tazewell
    22. Lee 48. Westmoreland
    23. Lexington 49. Williamsburg
    24. Lunenburg 50. Wise
    25. Lynchburg 51. Wythe 
    26. Martinsville  
  • The review of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant funding requests is based on the following criteria:  
    • Previous grant history
    • Completeness of the application
    • Timeliness of the application submission
    • The impact if the grant is not awarded
    • The number of programs affected
    • Demonstrated need for funding

    Individual PPE Grants amounts are decided by the Virginia Fire Services Board based upon the evaluation and recommendations of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs in accordance with the criteria above.

    The Virginia Fire Services Board will determine the individual award amounts for the PPE Grant Program based on evaluations and recommendations from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) in accordance with the criteria outlined above.

    VDFP will assess applications based on the quality of the application and the supporting documentation related to the objectives of the grant program.

    The Virginia Department of Fire Programs reserves the right to verify any or all information provided in the application the Administration, Policy and Finance Committee will receive the individual applications along with VDFP's recommendations for review and acceptance.
  • Grant projects shall be completed within twelve (12) months following receipt of an award.

    • No funds shall be carried over and all funds shall be spent during the twelve-month period.
    • Awarded localities shall submit a written report to VDFP within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the grant’s twelve (12) month cycle. This report shall describe the fund’s use and benefit to fire services agencies and/or the community served by such organizations. It will also allow the localities to comment on the Virginia Fire Services Board Firefighter PPE Grant Program.

    Additionally, within 30-calendar days after the conclusion of the grant term, all unexpended funds – including any interest accrual remaining – shall be returned to VDFP.

  • Available each fiscal year, based on funding availability, the application period is from July 1 – August 31.

Contact Us

For any questions about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Grant, please submit a Contact Us Inquiry or send an email to grants@vdfp.virginia.gov.